High Tide - Gettysburg

Cannon surround the High Water Mark monument at the Angle on Cemetery Ridge in Gettysburg. The monument, created by early park superintendent and historian John Bachelder, depicts an open "book of history" resting on cannon shot at the Copse of Trees, the supposed target of Lee's grand assault - Pickett Charge. Pickett's attack briefly punched through the Union line here, marking the Confederate high tide at Gettysburg, and perhaps the war. (Click image for larger view).

A fallen comrade on Little Round Top - Gettysburg

The monument to the 9th Pa. Reserves stands on the rocky ground of Little Round Top where it secured the line between the Round Tops as fighting settled down on the second day of battle at Gettysburg. The marker depicts a soldier standing over the fresh grave of a comrade, hat in hand, head down. (Click image for larger view).

Sunrise - Little Round Top

The sun breaks over the summit of Little Round Top and the 12th and 44th New York Infantry monument at Gettysburg. The marker is the largest regimental monument on the field, memorializing the nearly 600 men the combined regiments brought to the battle. (Click image for larger view).

Shadows on Cemetery Ridge - Gettysburg

Federal artillery stands on Cemetery Ridge, marking the Union line near the Angle at Gettysburg. (Click image for larger view).

'Thank God!' - Meade of Gettysburg

The monument to Major General George Gordon Meade, commander of the Union army at Gettysburg, stands on Cemetery Ridge, site of the general's greatest victory. Meade did not personally witness the climax of his army's victory, arriving at the scene as Pickett's Charge was receding. "What, is the enemy entirely repulsed?" he asked as he took in the view of the retreating Rebels and the carnage before him. Assured the Southerners were, in fact, defeated, Meade checked a desire to celebrate and instead uttered: "Thank God!" (Click image for larger view).

Towering over the Angle - Gettysburg

The National Tower (top right) stands over the battlefield as seen from the Angle at Gettysburg. The commercial sight-seeing attraction was demolished in 2000 as the spearhead of a wave of change and restoration at the park this decade. Next up: removal of the Cyclorama Center and old Visitor Center. (Click image for larger view).

The Fall of Zook - Gettysburg

An unadorned monument marks where Union Brigadier General Samuel Kozciuszko Zook was mortally wounded leading his men into the Wheatfield during the second day at Gettysburg.He survived long enough to learn of the Rebels' repulse the following day.  "Then I am satisfied," Zook said, "and am ready to die." (Click image for larger view).

'Screaming shells and shot' - Gettysburg

Fog surrounds a Union cannon on Cemetery Ridge where the cannonade preceding Pickett's Charge on the third day at Gettysburg was directed. Both lines were soon clouded by smoke at the onset of the barrage. "The air is darkened with sulphurous clouds. The whole valley is enveloped," declared one participant, recounting decades later. "The sun, lately so glaring, is itself obscured. Nothing can be seen but the flashing light leaping from the cannon's mouth amidst the surrounding smoke. The air which was so silent and serene is now full of exploding and screaming shells and shot..." (Click image for larger view).

In the Wheatfield - Gettysburg

Wildflowers bloom where wheat was ripening on the second day of fighting at Gettysburg in the "Bloody Wheatfield." 4000 soldiers of both armies fell in or near the Wheatfield as back-and-forth fighting drew soldiers into battle during Confederate attacks on the Union left. (Click image for larger view).

Coster Ave. Mural - Gettysburg

The 154th New York Infantry monument stands in front of the Coster Avenue mural on the battlefield of the first day of fighting at Gettysburg. The mural depicts the fighting that took place at this location as members of Coster's brigade - forming a rear guard as the Union line collapsed north of town - were routed by superior numbers of Confederates. Ten-year-old Charles McCurdy, watching the stream of soldiers in Gettysburg, remembered later: "If there is a more thrilling spectacle than an army in frenzied retreat through the narrow streets of a town, I cannot imagine it." (Click image for larger view).